A04920:150
An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations
An answer to a great number of blasphemous cavillations written by an Anabaptist, and adversary to Gods eternal predestination. And confuted by John Knox, minister of Gods word in Scotland. Wherein the author so discovereth the craft and falsehood of that sect, that the godly knowing that error, may be confirmed in the trueth by the evident Word of GodAn answer to a great nomber of blasphemous cauillations written by an Anabaptist, and aduersarie to Gods eternal predestination. And confuted by Iohn Knox, minister of Gods worde in Scotland. Wherein the author so discouereth the craft and falshode of that sect, that the godly knowing that error, may be confirmed in the trueth by the euident Worde of God
Geneva: printed by John Crespin, 1560Geneva: printed by Iohn Crespin, 1560
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
THE ADVERSARY.
THE ADVERSARIE.
Now I intend with the help of God to answer to the arguments which they that be entangled with this error use to allege for the proof thereof,1 leaving such as be▪ but vain, and engender rather contention then edifying, answering to such as some most weighty collected of certain places of the scriptures whereby it may be thought that they may be deceived, beseeching the gentle reader to weigh the matter with an indifferent balance, and first hear before thou refuse, and God willing thou shalt not repent the of thy labour. but forasmuch as the author and maintainers of this error do often make mention of election, whereby they would cloak their absurdities, I will first declare how election is taken in the scriptures three manner of ways, that is generally, specially, and most specially of all. first we be all chosen and created in Christ Jesus as Paul witnesseth to the Ephesians in the first and second chapter, and conform to this election he lightened all ⟨p. 100⟩§3them that cam into the world, and calleth all men to repentance both great and small,2 rich and poor, Jew and gentile, male and female, of all estates, without respect of any person. And all that §4be thirsty he calleth to come to the water of lief. Secondly he commandeth them which come at the first calling to renounce father and mother, wife and child with all other earthly things, yea and them selves also. This is the second election where there departed an innumerable multitude which will not forsake such things §5but for their own lusts. Here departed Cain with the monstrous Giants, cruel tyrants, and bloody hypocrites, and all persecutors which shed innocent blood. here departed Epicurus with all his belly gods: among which was the rich glutton which despised Lazarus, there departed Sardanapalus accompanied with venus, and all that be drowned in the lusts of the flesh. Among which was Herodias. There departed Croesus with many rich wealthy persons: among which was the rich young man of whom we read in the Gospel, that with a sorry countenance he departed from Christ. There departed Tarquinius the proud with such as be puffed up with the Pomp, glory, of this world. Among which